Idioms

not the be-all and end-all

(not) the be-all and end-all

(Not) the most important event or thing. My little sister thinks that a date with the captain of the football team is just the be-all and end-all of her life right now. Oh, honey, I know you're disappointed, but failing the driver's license test is not the be-all and end-all. You'll just practice some more and then take it again. I once thought that not getting into Harvard was the be-all and end-all of my academic career. Thankfully, I was wrong.
See also: and
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

not the be-all and end-all

COMMON If something is not the be-all and end-all, it is not the only important thing in a particular situation. Results are not the be-all and end-all of education. My career is important, but it's not the be-all and end-all.
See also: and, not
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
See also:
Copyright © 2003-2025 Farlex, Inc Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.